Insurance for LPRs

[Sherlock 0]

Need some advice on health insurance for my mother in law. She was sponsored by my wife and arrived as LPR last summer. She's nearly 72, has no health insurance, and will not be eligible for medicare/medicaid for another 4 years. Wondering how others have dealt with this situation? Any advice appreciated.

[belinda63 3,047]

You can try a search at this location or try some well known insurance companies such as United Healthcare or Anthem. Be ready to pay a pretty penny for the coverage. Additionally I don't believe she will ever be eligible for Medicare as she has never paid into it and I am not sure if Medicaid is considered a means tested benefit.

[sjr09 155]

[/url]Means Tested Public Benefits

Federal means tested public benefits are the following:

• Food stamps
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• State Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

FAQs: Means Tested Public Benefits

• Can the applicant use government assistance or public benefits?
• What assistance programs are not considered means tested public benefit programs?

Can the applicant use government assistance or public benefits?

If the sponsored immigrant uses federal means tested public benefits, the sponsor must repay the cost of the benefits.

What assistance programs are not considered means tested public benefit programs?

The following types of assistance are not considered means tested public benefits and do not have to be repaid.

• Emergency Medicaid
• School lunches
• Immunizations and treatment for communicable diseases
• Student assistance to attend colleges and institutions of higher learning
• Some kinds of foster care or adoption assistance
• Job training programs
• Head start
• Short-term, non-cash emergency relief

[jimmysmitts 9]

[/url]Means Tested Public Benefits

Federal means tested public benefits are the following:

• Food stamps
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• State Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

FAQs: Means Tested Public Benefits

• Can the applicant use government assistance or public benefits?
• What assistance programs are not considered means tested public benefit programs?

Can the applicant use government assistance or public benefits?

If the sponsored immigrant uses federal means tested public benefits, the sponsor must repay the cost of the benefits.

What assistance programs are not considered means tested public benefit programs?

The following types of assistance are not considered means tested public benefits and do not have to be repaid.

• Emergency Medicaid
• School lunches
• Immunizations and treatment for communicable diseases
• Student assistance to attend colleges and institutions of higher learning
• Some kinds of foster care or adoption assistance
• Job training programs
• Head start
• Short-term, non-cash emergency relief

I don't think you have a lot of options, if she does get seriously ill the emergency room is required to treat her and I don't think your wife can be held liable for the bill.

[sjr09 155]

I don't think you have a lot of options, if she does get seriously ill the emergency room is required to treat her and I don't think your wife can be held liable for the bill.

She can!

[michaillah07 2]

She can!

Unfortunately, the sponsor is liable because of the affidavit of support. Remember, the sponsor swore with the US government to support the beneficiary until the beneficiary becomes a U.S. Citizen. Though, some hospitals cannot turn down anyone who needs treatment but doesn't have insurance, the sponsor will still be held liable. I have a friend who had same situation with her 75-year old father who had a heart attack 3 months after arrival in the states. Her salary is being garnished now to pay back her father's hospital bills. This is why sponsors should not petition relatives that they cannot support all the way. I am not being mean at all, it is unfortunate but it is a fact. I suggest to shop around competitive rates for health insurance ASAP. At that age, the lowest you probably can get is $700 per month basing it from a friend's 65-year old mother who is paying $550 per month with BlueCross Health Insurance. Good luck!

[Sherlock 0]

I'm good to go for emergency stuff. I'm military and recently got her added as a dependent, so I can take her to any military facility for emergency care. However, any routine care is space available, sometimes no appointments available for months. Looking for something to cover her for non-military care so I don't have to pay for everything out of pocket.

[Boiler 46,013]

Always an interesting subject.

To be honest this is something that should have been considered before she moved here.

You could look at the State High Risk Pool and/or keep your fingers crossed.